The world of whiskey is full of bottles that promise more than they deliver. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon vs The Macallan 12 Year Old: Bourbon vs Scotch Showdown belongs to the rarer category that simply lets the liquid speak.
Cross-category comparisons are always fun. Today we pit a Bourbon against a Scotch: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon takes on The Macallan 12 Year Old in a battle that transcends regional tradition.
While these two whiskeys come from different worlds, comparing them reveals what makes each style unique and which might suit your palate better.
Specifications at a Glance
| Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon | The Macallan 12 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Emeritus at Buffalo Trace Distillery | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Scotch |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 90 proof | 40% ABV (80 proof), 43% ABV (86 proof in the Ameri |
| Price | N/A | N/A |
| Rating | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Nose
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon: Floral, yeasty, fragrant and bready. Mash notes are prominent and dried corn is always evident. Hang with it a spell and you’ll even find cocoa lurking in the background. It’s Eau de Rickhouse in a bottle. Tasting it reveals all the basics of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla, fruity rye and sour mash, followed by bonus licks of pipe tobacco, yeast, fruit, even crème caramel. It treads gingerly on the palate.
The Macallan 12 Year Old: Oaky and hot right off the pour. Loads of oak and perfume reads as somewhat bitter at first, with notes reminiscent of an amaretto sour and a hint of spiced plums. The nose softens dramatically after a few minutes, settling into dark sherry and plum sweetness.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon: Tasting it reveals all the basics of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla, fruity rye and sour mash, followed by bonus licks of pipe tobacco, yeast, fruit, even crème caramel. It treads gingerly on the palate.
The Macallan 12 Year Old: Sweet and full, but not overly complex. Lots of sherry, plums, powdered sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg give it a silky, round mouthfeel.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon: The finish delivers a bit more oak and then disappears without a trace down the gullet. It just drinks cleanly, bereft of a warming burn – which I do like in many cases.
The Macallan 12 Year Old: The finish is quick, with a mild burn and a long, lingering presence of sweetness reminding me of iced cinnamon rolls.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
With both bottles in a comparable price range, the decision comes down to flavour preference rather than wallet size.
The Verdict
This is a genuinely close call. Both Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon and The Macallan 12 Year Old have their strengths, and picking a clear winner depends entirely on what you value most in a whiskey.
We'd recommend trying both if you can. Each has qualities that make it worth a pour.
Read the Full Reviews
Final Reflections
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon vs The Macallan 12 Year Old: Bourbon vs Scotch Showdown is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
